Sri Lanka in 12 days - Explore The mythical Ceylon
To travel to Sri Lanka with friends or as a couple-
3/4 * HOTEL with BREAKFAST and DINNER
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All visits and safaris on the tour are included
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4-person group reference rate: 1280 USD per person
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2-person group reference rate: 1440 USD per person
Sri Lanka in 12 days - Explore The mythical Ceylon
a very dynamic program, with many visits, but also with moments of relaxation
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Here begins a very dynamic program, with many visits, but also with spaces for relaxation, to enjoy nature and the pleasures that this wonderful little town offers.
It is a circuit with a perfect balance, which mixes culture, nature, adventure and alternative visits that will make you leave this country thinking that the mythical Ceylon was worth traveling.
On this tour you can visit six UNESCO World Heritage sites and immerse yourself in exotic nature to discover in the wild many animals
The activities
The activities of this 12-day itinerary are designed for those travellers who want to get to know Sri Lanka thoroughly, venturing into the many safaris that the country offers, without giving up the pleasure of a good Ayurvedic massage.
12 days is more than enough to fully explore this beautiful island also called Ceylon!
day 1. International Bandaranaike Airport - Kurunegala - Anuradhapura
(Approximate transfer duration: 3 and a half hours)
Welcoming at the airport by our representative and transfer to the accommodation in Sigiriya.
But first we will have a little stop in Kurunegala, the intermediate town between the airport and the next hotel to walk around the city lake and eat something.
day 2. Anuradhapura - Mihintale - Anuradhapura
(Mihintale - Anuradhapura: 30 min.)
We will start this exciting tour with a visit to one of the ancient capitals of the country: Anuradhapura (IV century BC - X AD).
In addition to ancient temples and stupas, we will see, how Sri Lankans visit and venerate this sacred sites, how they make their offerings to the oldest living human-planted tree in the world with a known planting date (Bo tree) and much more!
Then we will visit Mihintale, the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. According to ancient chronicles, Buddhism entered Sri Lanka through Mihintale in 237 BC. At the top of this mountain we will find a stupa with incredible views.
day 3. Anuradhapura - Aukana's Buddha - Sigiriya Rock - Sigiriya
(Approximate duration from Anuradhapura - Aukana: 1 hour and 15 min; Aukana - Sigiriya: 1 hour)
On the way to Sigiriya we will make a short visit to the 14m high Aukana Buddha, carved in the 5th century, in detail, on the rock.
In the afternoon we will claim to the Sigiriya fortress.
This huge magma rock hides the ruins of noble buildings and a breathtaking view on the top.
We will pass through the Lions Gate and admire the state of conservation of the frescoes on the walls of the cave.
day 4. Sigiriya - Dambulla Golden Temple - Optional: Ayurvedic massage - Sigiriya
Sigiriya - Dambulla: 30 min)
In the morning we will visit the Golden Temple of Dambulla
This complex of caves converted into a temple where inside we will encounter a rich decoration of statues and frescoes on the life of Buddha, of ancient Sinhalese kings and of Hindu Sinhalese deities still revered today with flowers, incense and oil lamps ...
If you wish, after this visit, you could receive an Ayurvedic massage session, a practice that dates back to more than 2000 years ago based on the application of oils extracted from medicinal plants.
Rest of the day free.
day 5. Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa - Safari: Minneriya National Park - Sigiriya
(Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa: 1 hour and 20 min; Polonnaruwa - Minneriya: 1 hour; Minneriya - Sigiriya: 30 min.)
Among the ruins of Polonnaruwa (10th - 13th century AD) We will find gigantic sculptures of Buddha and Kings up to 15 meters high, old ponds and remains of what was once the royal palace.
All this enlivened by friendly macaques playing in the jungle that has always surrounded the old temples of Sri Lanka.
Founded in the 10th century AD, Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka and remained active until the beginning of the 13th century.
In the afternoon mounted on a four wheel drive, we will participate to this amusing Safari,
famous for the large herds of elephants that inhabit it.
Sometimes you can admire up to 300 elephant specimens
day 6. Sigiriya - Matale: Spice Garden - Udawattakele National Reserve - Kandy
(Approximate duration Sigiriya - Kandy: 2 and a half hours)
Then we will have the opportunity to get to know a Spice Garden on the way to Kandy.
On this visit we will get to know the plants and trees with which the different spices are produced and we will discover their use in cooking and in the ancient natural medicine of Ayurveda
Note Spice Garden :
This visit is optional and free, we will find an attached shop that no one is obliged to buy.
Sri Lanka Eden Travels does not endorse purchases in this or any shop.
Transfer to Kandy, the capital of the mountains.
In the morning, walk through the Udawattakele Reserve.
This visit will last a couple of hours where you will be able to observe above all towering trees and tropical vegetation that amazes locals and tourists
day 7. Kandy - Peradeniya Royal Gardens -Tooth Relic Temple - Kandy city tour
(Kandy - Peradeniya: 20 min)
In the morning we will walk through the the Peradeniya Royal Gardens, not far away from Kandy.
The Botanical Garden of Peradeniya (14th century) is considered one of the best visits to mythical Ceylon.
It is a huge park that runs along the Mahawelli River where we will admire the beauty of ancient trees, palm trees with strange shapes, Ayurvedic plants and the famous orchids collection.
In the Sri Dalada Maligawa Temple we will find the relic of the Buddha's tooth.
For this reason we will always meet Buddhist pilgrims with flowers and offerings.
Since ancient times, this relic has played a very important role in the life of Sri Lanka, as it was believed that whoever possessed it wielded power.
We will walk around the lake surrounding the Temple of the Tooth and visit the typical market and traditional shops of the city
day 8. Kandy - Ramboda waterfalls - Tea factory - Train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella
(Kandy - Nuwara Eliya: 2 hours + train)
On the way to Nuwara Eliya we will stop to admire the Ramboda waterfalls.
We will continue the visit to a tea factory.
If you want to learn about the making of the famous Ceylon tea, be sure to visit this factory where they will explain how the delicate tea leaves are processed.
In Nuwara Eliya, Little England as the British called it, you can admire old colonial buildings where you can still breathe the atmosphere of that time.
An example of this is the Golf Club or the Hill Club.
Then we'll take a tour around Lake Gregory.
Later we will travel by train from Nanu Oya station in Nuwara Eliya to Bandarawela.
It is more than 3 hours of winding journey between tea mountains and high forest.
The Sri Lankan railway network started operating in 1864 and the old trains from that time are still preserved and run perfectly.
The train is subject to availability
day 9. Ella: excursions to Little Adam's Peak - Yala: Safari - Tissamaharama
(Ella - Yala: 2 hours)
We will go up to Little Adam's Peak.
It is a simple 30 minute walk around the tea fields, to enjoy the immensity of the mountains in this part of the island.
If enough energy remains, we could take a 3-4 hour hike to Ella Gap to take in the beautiful views of this mountain range that surrounds Ella.
Another option is to have this day off to enjoy the fresh atmosphere of this spectacular area of the country.
Yala National Park has the highest concentration of leopards in the world, as they have no predators.
In addition, you will be able to observe many elephants, crocodiles, buffaloes, black bears and many other animals.
day 10. Tissamaharama - Dondra lighthouse - Matara Temple - Ahangama
(Approximate duration Tissa - Ahangama: 2 hours)
The first visit of the day will be the Dondra lighthouse.
This lighthouse was built by the British and the paradox is that all the materials for its construction were brought from England and Scotland.
Construction began in 1887 and finished in 3 years.
This lighthouse, like the one in Galle, continues to function.
Rest of the day free.
day 11. Ahangama - Koggala Lake - Galle Fort - Ahangama
(Ahangama - Lake: 20 min.; Lake - Galle: 40 min.; Galle - Ahangama: 30 min.)
Galle is the third most important city after Colombo and Kandy.
It was a Portuguese city in the 16th century and a Dutch city in the 18th century, the British also lived in the 19th and 20th centuries.
All these colonisers left an imprint, which is why it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Today we will participate in a relaxing boat trip on Lake Koggala with the sound of birds playing in the background all the time.
In this place you will also visit an island that has a Buddhist temple and a cinnamon farm.
day 12. Ahangama - Colombo: Gangaramaya, Red Mosque e Galle Face - Airport
(Ahangama - Colombo: 2 hours and 15 min, Colombo - Airport: 45 min)
- Transfer to Colombo to visit the Gangaramaya Temple.
This is one of the most important temples in the capital.
Located on the edge of Lake Beira, it was built by mixing different types of architecture from Sri Lanka, Thailand, China and India. - Then you can visit the Red Mosque (outside of prayer hours).
Also called Jami Ul-Alfar it is the most important mosque in Colombo, as well as one of its most recognisable buildings.
Built in 1909 by the neighbourhood's Muslim community, the Jami Ul-Alfar stands out for its unique color stripes and geometric tiles that look more North African than Sri Lankan. - In the afternoon it will be very interesting to visit the Galle Face, where we will delight in a walk by the sea where children and adults play with their kites.
Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport at the appointed time, where we will arrive 3 hours before our departure flight
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- Bed and Breakfast in the selected Hotels
- Private transport with guide/driver english speaking
- Welcoming at the Airport on arrival and escorting service in all Tour till departure
- All the tickets to entry monuments, temples and safari of the itinerary
- Customer support 24/7 for all the Tour duration
- Soft drinks and water, lunches and dinners
- Visits or activities not covered in the Tour
- The International flight
- Travel insurance and PCR
- Visa entry fees for Sri Lanka ETA
to obtain it follow the link and the steps described in our article in Travel Guide > Visa and Passport
Payment methods:
- Payment is 10% or 20% depending on the season (low or high), by bank transfer.
- The remaining 90% or 80% is always paid in cash or by credit card upon arrival in Sri Lanka or by bank transfer.
Cancellation policy:
Up to 30 days before the start of the trip, 100% of the deposit is refunded if a trip cancellation occurs,
withholding the amount of $100 per person for agency fees.Between 29 days and 15 days before the start of the trip there is a penalty of 50% of the deposit amount.
In case of cancellations in the 14 days preceding the trip, no deposit will be refunded.
Note on cancellations:
- All cancellations have an additional administrative cost of 100 USD per person.
- In case of cancellation due to COVID-19, cancellations will not suffer any penalty.
